Jones Apparel Acquires L.A. Designer Label (Apparel News)
"Jones Apparel Group Inc., the... corporation that has been on the hunt for brands, acquired Los Angeles womenswear contemporary label Robert Rodriguez for $28 million. Jones Apparel is hoping to expand the Robert Rodriguez name in other categories and other doors."

US retail groups continue to recover (FT)
"Spending by US shoppers continued to bounce back from last year's post-crash lows, with retailers ranging from luxury department stores to teen fashion boutiques yesterday reporting stronger sales in January."

LVMH struggles to prise open purses of wealthy (Times Online)
"The luxury brands group, which markets Christian Dior perfume and Tag Heuer watches as well as Louis Vuitton luggage, failed to raise its game over the Christmas period. Sales in the final quarter of 2009 were flat or declining in every sector at LVMH."

Hermès ups its 2009 profit forecast as sales excel (Reuters)
"French luxury group Hermès on Friday raised its own profit expectations for 2009 after posting forecast-beating full-year sales on the back of strong Christmas trading."

Which Stars Sell Fashion? (WSJ)
"With the Academy Award nominations out this week, fashion designers are already jockeying to dress the stars for their big night. But rather than trying to pick the Oscar winners or the most fashionable celebrities, designers should be asking another question: Who will be the most effective at getting viewers to buy the clothes they see on the red carpet?"